Personalized Drug Screening for Functional Tumor Profiling

Cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases, even with advances in personalized medicine. Targeted therapies have improved survival rates, but only a small subset of patients experience an objective response. Functional tumor profiling measures the cellular phenotype in response to drugs using patient-derived tumor models and could lead to precision oncology. Personalized drug screening is a novel patient stratification strategy for individualized treatment choices in oncology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Despite significant advancements in our understanding of the biology that underpins tumor development and progression of cancer, and the rapidly evolving field of personalized medicine, cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases. Numerous cancer patients have benefited from the survival improvements observed with targeted therapies, but only a small subset of patients receiving targeted drugs experience an objective response. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, the search for effective cancer treatments will necessitate addressing not only patient-specific molecular defects but also aspects of the tumor microenvironment. Functional tumor profiling, which directly measures the cellular phenotype, particularly tumor growth, in response to drugs using patient-derived tumor models, holds the potential to be the next frontier in precision oncology.

In this Element, the authors explore the personalized drug screening as a novel patient stratification strategy for determining individualized treatment choices in oncology. Personalized drug screening involves the use of genetic and molecular profiling techniques to identify specific drug targets and biomarkers that are unique to individual cancer patients. By leveraging this information, physicians can tailor treatment regimens to specifically target the cancer cells while minimizing the risk of side effects and maximizing the therapeutic efficacy.

One of the key advantages of personalized drug screening is the ability to improve patient outcomes. By targeting the specific genetic mutations or molecular pathways driving cancer growth, physicians can develop more effective and targeted treatments that are less likely to be resistant to conventional therapies. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the way cancer is treated, particularly for patients with advanced or metastatic disease, who have limited treatment options available.

Another advantage of personalized drug screening is the potential to reduce healthcare costs. By targeting specific therapies to individual patients, physicians can avoid the use of broad-spectrum drugs that may be ineffective or have significant side effects, reducing the burden on patients and healthcare systems. This approach can also improve patient compliance and adherence to treatment, as patients are more likely to receive treatments that are tailored to their specific needs and preferences.

However, there are also challenges associated with personalized drug screening. One of the main challenges is the lack of standardized testing and validation methods for personalized drug screening. This can lead to variability in results and uncertainty in the selection of appropriate treatments for individual patients. Additionally, personalized drug screening requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure, which may be challenging for some healthcare systems to afford.

To address these challenges, there is a need for ongoing research and development in the field of personalized drug screening. This includes the development of standardized testing and validation methods, the identification of new drug targets and biomarkers, and the development of cost-effective and scalable technologies for personalized drug screening.

In conclusion, personalized drug screening is a promising approach for determining individualized treatment choices in oncology. By leveraging genetic and molecular profiling techniques, physicians can develop more effective and targeted treatments that are tailored to the specific needs of individual cancer patients. While there are challenges associated with this approach, ongoing research and development can help to address these challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Weight: 56g
ISBN-13: 9781009016933